A Year of Reflection

Exactly one year ago today I lost a dear friend of mine in a car accident. Nych was only 21 when he died and his death shocked everyone who knew him.

I knew Nych from 3rd grade and he and I had remained friends into our adulthood. We had so many memories together from going on school trips together in elementary school, playing in the orchestra together in middle school, and just being goofy in high school. Pretty much all of my memories of Nych from high school make me laugh out loud when I think about them now. He was a huge ball of energy and could always, always make you laugh. He wasn't always a jokester, though, he was a sweetheart as well. I remember my senior year of high school when I was an office aide for my 1st period class he didn't have a first period so he would come to school early just to hang out with me in the office. Then, he would walk me to class just to make sure I wasn't walking alone.

Perhaps one of the most meaningful memories I have with Nych was when he came and danced with me at my wedding. We hadn't seen each other very often after high school but whenever we did he would always make it seem like it had been no time at all and would greet me with a HUGE bear hug and talk to me just like an old friend. I specificallly remember him coming to dance with me during the dollar dance at my reception and he had this giant, loving smile on his face then gave me a huge hug and told me how happy he was for me. I never thought that a year later he would be gone. I think about him and miss him everyday, but I am forever grateful for all of the memories I have to remember him.

Nych, you will be forever missed but you are always in my heart.

Rattlesnakes in our Yard?!?!

I was about to let Lola outside a few minutes ago and I got a feeling that I should look outside on the patio, just to make sure the light was on and everything was okay. Well, I saw something that at first I thought was a large stick on the mat right outside our sliding glass door...but it wasn't a stick. It was a rattlesnake!!! So I slammed the door shut, screamed then yelled, "DAN! THERE'S A SNAKE!" So he came running to my rescue and we looked at the dang thing through the glass. He wasn't very old; he only had two rattles. Long story short, the snake is gone and hopefully he has no siblings or even worse, a mama, hangin' around in our yard. I hate snakes...

Dune Season Has Begun

Halloween weekend commenced the beginning of dune season for the Curtis family. Dan and I loaded up our truck which I lovingly refer to as Shaq Diesel and probably gave an entertaining show to the neighbors as it was only the two of us loading a quad and dirt bike into the back of the truck. Dan is a pro at it but me, I had no clue what to do. But, we got it all in, threw the dog in with us for his first road trip, and headed out to the dunes.

Dan didn't want to waste any dune time by spraying the dirt off his dirt bike at home so at our first stop for diesel he made good use of the gas station squeegee and gave it a last-minute wash. :) What a little innovator!

This was the first dune trip that the boys (Tyler, Dan, Blake) were able to bring their new dirt bikes. Here they are anxiously awaiting the morning ride.

And here are the lovely girls of the weekend - Kristina, Me, Sherrida, Lillian.

Blake, Tyler, and Dan, my Arab husband...haha. These boys get along so well, it's amazing.

Jessie getting ready to take her little green car, Esmerelda (sp?) for a spin.

Dan was kind and patient enough to take me out for a little ride, just the two of us. I don't really know how to ride a quad in the dunes very well yet so he takes me out to the "little dunes" so I can get in some practice time.

Doesn't he look good?! People like to give him a hard time for being a "little guy" riding a big bike, but let me tell you, he can handle that thing like a pro! So talk all you want! haha.

You know, sometimes I put up a fight about going to the dunes and not being able to get anything done while I'm away, but this weekend was just what I needed. Things have been SUPER busy lately between work, callings, Dan's midterms, housework, etc. that it was a perfect get away from the everyday grind. And Moto behaved himself pretty well, too, minus the growling and snarling at anyone who made a noise in the morning. He's not a morning dog, I guess. :) Here's to happy duning!